Frappe is one of the most common bar tending terms, and it goes beyond the realm of coffee. A frappe is a mixture of fruits and other ingredients that are served over crushed ice and then partially frozen.
But nowadays, a frappe is synonymous to iced coffee served with crushed ice, whipped cream and chocolate or caramel syrup. It is one of the most popular versions of iced coffee and you can make them at your own home if you have a frappe mixer.
Frappe coffee is a traditional Greek beverage made from iced coffee and is covered with foam. The beverage dates back to the International Trade Fair that happened in Thessaloniki in 1957.
An exhibitor in the trade fair was looking for a way to have his usual instant coffee but there was no hot water available so he made it using cold water and a frappe mixer (shaker). Since then, it became very popular and is now known as the national coffee of Greece.
Frappe coffee is easy to make if you have a frappe mixer at home. You will need:
– instant coffee
– sugar
– milk
– cold water
– ice cubes
– straw (optional)
Put instant coffee and sugar in a tall glass. Pour in a little bit of water to cover the coffee and sugar mixture. Add two ice cubes. Using a frappe mixer, mix it until it foams up. Then add more ice cubes, water and milk and mix it up again with the frappe mixer until it foams up. Serve with a straw.
Traditional Greek frappe coffee is available in three variations and is determined by the amount of sugar in the coffee mixture:
– Glykos – meaning sweet, it contains 2 teaspoons of coffee and 4 teaspoons of sugar
– Metrios – meaning medium, it contains 2 teaspoons of coffee and 2 teaspoons of sugar
– Sketos – meaning plain, it contains 2 teaspoons of coffee and no sugar
The three varieties can be added with or without evaporated milk. A version of frappe coffee that is famous in Cyprus is frappe coffee that has no water; milk is combined in the mixture using a frappe mixer instead. Greek restaurants sometimes serve frappe coffee with liqueurs like Bailey’s Irish Cream or Kahlua, and chocolate milk.
You can buy your frappe mixer in kitchen appliance stores and online retailers. Brands of frappe mixer include Aerolatte, Hamilton Beach, and Mr. Coffee.